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Emily F. Abbott
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Emily F. Abbott is the Republican candidate seeking election to retain the Criminal Court Judge, Division I seat for Knox County (6th Judicial District, unexpired term), with the general election on August 6, 2026 1. Governor Bill Lee appointed her to the seat on August 15, 2025, and she was sworn in three days later, becoming only the second woman to serve on the Knox County Criminal Court 1.
Background and education
Abbott earned a Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University in 2003, where she was editor of the student newspaper, and a law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law 12. She is a native of Sumner County and has long lived in Knoxville's Bearden community 1.
Career
Abbott spent nearly two decades as a prosecutor before her judicial appointment. She began prosecuting in Tennessee's Fourth Judicial District in 2007 and transferred to the Seventh Judicial District in 2009, handling cases ranging from traffic offenses to homicide 2. She was a finalist for a Knox County judgeship in 2022, when Judge Hixson was instead appointed to the Court of Criminal Appeals, before Governor Lee appointed her to the Criminal Court in 2025 2.
Office history
Abbott was appointed Criminal Court Judge, Division I, by Governor Bill Lee on August 15, 2025, and is now seeking election to retain the seat in the Republican primary (May 5, 2026) and general election (August 6, 2026) 12.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
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State offices (Governor, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee, statewide judiciary) —
Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.
Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Abbott”, and submit.
US House, US Senate, and Presidential candidates file with the FEC — see the federal section below. - County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“Abbott”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Abbott”and, if needed, select the applicable position.